I like Madonna fine. She’s great and is far braver and more hardworking than I am for sure. However, I get in trouble sometimes with my friends who are Madge super fans when I explain that some of her music is just so damn stinky. (Remember True Blue or the dreadful remake of American Pie? No. Thank You.)

I put Madonna’s music into my personal “Law of the Thirds” (The Doors and The Red Hot Chili Peppers are also in this category for me.)

The Madonna songs I hate drive me insane but her top work (Like a Prayer, Take a Bow, Music and in particular Ray of Light bring indescribable joy into my life. Her high efforts are so damn amazing that I wanted to start of a playlist with my favorite version of my favorite song by Madonna to prove I am not a hater. (Really!)

The rest are a mixture of older and new tunes that make a perfect interval workout playlist (in my not so humble opinion.)

Let me know what you think of it and remember—I need song suggestions, always. So be sure to post them in the comments below!

Thanks!

Ray of Light:Madonna

If you do not own the William Orbit Liquid mix of this song—than get it right now and play on high volume. It will rock your world completely!

Mother Mary: The Foxboro Hottubs

Not familiar with Green Day’s “garage band side project?” Well now is the perfect time to check out this video and tell me what you think. I like that it is high energy and feels very madcap.

Get the Party Started:P!nk

Linda Perry (of 4 Non Blondes fame) is one of the top songwriters and record producers in the business and she wrote this fun tune for P!nk.

Ship to Wreck:Florence + The Machine

This new song by Florence + The Machine is my new favorite for speed drills and in my regular life as well. It cooks!

Connected: Stereo MCs

This British band wrote some fun dance tunes back in the early 90s and this one in particular is my favorite when I want to use a heavy resistance climb.

Walk:Foo Fighters

I love me some Foos in my workouts and this song makes me want to workout harder and then get weepy afterwards at the same time. Pay attention to the lyrics here because they will help you get overcome any fears you may be dealing with in your life.

Hollaback Girl:Gwen Stefani

The “dirty’ version is more fun to play out loud in class but I will leave that decision up to you.

Firestarter:The Prodigy

Some people are scared off by The Prodigy’s look but I have to say when I put this on for sprints my students just book it on their bikes.

Monkey Tree: Mother Mother

This song is from a Canadian indie band because y’all know how much I love my Canadians!

Crabbuckit: K-Os

Speaking of Canadians–my favorite Canuck Hip Hop artist is K-Os and this is his best song ever.

Love Runs Out:OneRepublic

Love, love, love playing this in my classes. People just bop their heads to the music which amuses me greatly.

Ring of Fire:Social Distortion

My favorite cover of a Johnny Cash song by one of the most underrated rock bands of all time. Period.

The Drugs Don’t Work:The Verve

I love ending a class with a mellow rock ballad and this is 90s songwriting at its finest.

Today’s playlist was inspired after I heard Matthew Sweet’sGirlfriend on the radio last week and my brain went “ahhhh” from happiness. I decided it would be the perfect warm-up song and created a 50-minute interval ride for indoor cycling that will work for any of your cardio needs. Hope you like it!

Let me know what you think of it and remember—I need song suggestions, always.

Girlfriend:Matthew Sweet

From the opening guitar riff right through all of the cool drum fills-this song seriously kicks butt and makes me want to work harder. Love, love, love, deeply love this song.

Pump It: The Black Eyed Peas

For all of you Pulp Fiction fans—the music “bed” here is Dick Dale’sMisirlou which gives it a retro cool kind of sound.

Can’t Hold Us:Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis

I love the consistent beat here and it always gets the class powered up to take it up a notch. (The video is a little strange but I kind of like it anyway.)

A Sky Full of Stars:Coldplay

The music and orchestration here are so lush and wonderful that I had to find out who produced it. Guess what? It’s co-produced by my favorite Swedish DJ Avicii!

Fly: Sugar Ray featuring Super Cat

It is basically impossible to NOT sing along to this tune from Sugar Ray which always reminds me of summer. Plus, I really do just want to fly.

Gold Guns Girls:Metric

Being the American superfan of this band brings a tremendous responsibility on my part where I must include them as often as possible in my playlists. You’re welcome!

Safe and Sound:Capital Cities

I like my bouncy fun dance pop tunes and this one fits the bill nicely.

Americano:Lady Gaga

Where did Lady Gaga go? I mean that seriously because I am happiest when she records pop tunes like this that have an edge. Gaga, please come back when you are done touring with Tony Bennett!

(Also–can someone please find me the original video which included a cameo by Norman Reedus? Thanks!)

Style: Taylor Swift

This is my new favorite song and represents the first time Taylor Swift has been included in one of my playlists. Hello Taylor!

Hella Good No Doubt

I have an image from my friend’s wedding over ten years ago where they played this song at her reception and her grandparents boogied to Hella Good. (So much fun and the bass here is excellent!)

Shut Up and Dance:Walk the Moon

Every time I hear this song it reminds me so much of the kind of songs that would appear on 80s movie soundtracks. That’s meant to be a compliment.

Stars:Moby

This song is great for climbing or using the incline on the treadmill. Plus it features tons of stars including Corey Feldman whom Margo P. and talk about on our podcast here at this iTunes link.

Unknown Legend:Neil Young

This is my favorite song off of Neil Young’sHarvest Moon album and features background vocals (on the original album) from Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor and Nicolette Larson so it generally just rules.

That’s it for me this time. Now go out there get your workout mojo on!

I am continuing my delve into club/dance music which is just slightly outside my comfort zone but Swedish DJ Avicii puts together such fun, catchy “warm-up” tunes. I love “Hey Brother” and “Wake MeUp” so when I heard he recorded with Lenny Kravitz—I downloaded the song right away and decided to trip around the last couple of decades to being you this playlist. You’re welcome!!!

Let me know what you think of it and remember—I need song suggestions, always.

Superlove:Avicii & Lenny Kravitz

I love how the song seems to ebb and flow– making it a perfect warm-up for getting my students used to being on the bike. I have them match the beat with their peddling but it also works for any kind of group fitness class.

Fire Sign: The Gossip

Beth Ditto is a fierce singer and this tune really gets the room pumping with energy. (True story—the original drummer left the band to be a midwife!)

I Gotta Feeling:The Black Eyes Peas

The beat here is fun, happy and builds in joy as you move along which is just about perfect for any workout playlist.

Sweet Disposition:The Temper Trap

Sometimes you want your class to fall into a trance and just the music flow…this song does that very nicely from this Australian band.

Clocks: Coldplay

I know there are people out there who hate Coldplay and complain anytime they are played on the radio but I love them and this song always makes me want to go on long climbs and think about life.

I wish these two would record a whole album together—this song just cooks!

Breathe:The Prodigy

My inner 90s rock goddess loves hearing this band anytime and this particular tune is perfect for sprinting.

Holiday: Green Day

I cannot believe this band has been together so long that they are now in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. (I am OLD!)

Never Let You Go: Third Eye Blind

Third Eye Blind is best known for their druggie anthem “Semi-Charmed Life” but I really like this song so much more.

Complicated:Avril Lavigne

If it has been a while since you heard this one from Avril—go back to it. She did some might fine songwriting here and she was just 16 years-old when she recorded it.

Ordinary World:Duran Duran

This may be my all-time, most favorite Duran Duran song of all time after “The Reflex” and “Girls on Film.” (Though “Planet Earth” is pretty amazing as well… (Use this one as your cool down, of course.)

That’s all I have today folks. Let me know about some of your favorite songs and radio stations. I am always looking for good tunes.

Today’s playlist was inspired after watching The Big Lebowski for the first time in many years and noticing that there is a super, fantastic version of Hotel California by The Gypsy Kings on the soundtrack. From there I went looking through my “favorites” list to mix in some old and new tunes to create a 50-minute interval playlist that I hope offers some fun & inspiration for your next workout.

Hotel California: The Gypsy Kings

A major plot point to The Big Lebowski is “The Dude’s” absolute hatred for all music from The Eagles so it always fun to hear when The Gypsy Kings version of their biggest hit pops up on the soundtrack. I love using this as a warm-up song as it has such a fun buildup.

Use It: The New Pornographers

I love this Canadian band and this tune in particular gives me “the happies.”

California Love: 2Pac

Can you believe this tune is 20 years old?! When it first came out I had just moved to NYC from Northern California and it made me miss my old home. The beat still kicks serious butt!

Every Teardrop is a Waterfall: Coldplay

Some people are divided on whether or not Coldplay is a decent band but I love their melodies and think that Chris Martin writes some of the catchiest lyrics in the business.

Criminal: Fiona Apple

OMG—I just loved this album back in the day and this song in particular sounds just as amazing now as it did in the 90s.

E-Pro:Beck

Beck is yet another 90s act who gets better and better with each effort. This is one of my favorites by him.

Locked Out of Heaven: Bruno Mars

What can I say about Bruno Mars except that he is so damn likeable and his music is just TOO much fun!!

Keep The Car Running: Arcade Fire

This is one of my “top 5” songs to perform sprints to and love watching my students facing when they peddle their butts off.

Black Gold:Soul Asylum

Wow—there is a ton of 90s on the playlist today? Not intentional but as I said before—these are some of my favorite tunes to use for workouts.

Starships:Nicki Minaj

I know she is not to everyone’s taste but I think Nicki Minaj is just so damn enjoyable and if you can find her on Instagram—follow right away!

Time to Pretend:MGMT

This is one of those bands that released an amazing first record and then “poof” they disappear. Time to Pretend is the standout song.

Moves Like Jagger:Maroon 5

Maroon 5’sAdam Levine has such a distinctive voice and uses it so well here—“I’ve got the mooooooooooves like Jagger!”

Weight of Love:The Black Keys

At first I thought this was some long lost Pink Floyd single which I mean as a compliment.

That’s all I have today folks. Let me know about some of your favorite songs and radio stations. I am always looking for good tunes.

(If you are reading this on a different site or a different feed than Brooklyn Fit Chick, it has been taken without permission.)

How are you all doing today? I have a whole bunch of news & notes to get you folks today and I will not waste a minute getting it to you. Don’t worry—the Vlog is back next week with a whole new giveaway!

Brooklyn Fit Chick News & Notes

Book Vs Movie Podcast: For those of you who are not familiar with it my friend Margo Porras of Shes Nacho Mama’s Blog and I co-host a podcast called “Book Vs. Movie” and you can subscribe to us on iTunes with this link https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bookvsmovies-podcast/id954110320?mt=2. Our newest episode was all things Gone Girl (have you heard of it?) and boy did we have fun time dissecting both the film and the novel! The player is embedded below for your listening pleasure. Hope you like it!

Fit Bottomed Girls “Power Rock Climb” Playlist: One of my favorite “jobs” (honestly, I would do it for free cuz I have so much with it!) is coming up with playlists for the Fit Bottomed gals and this week I picked my favorite “Power Rock” songs to get me in the mood to climb a million hills. Let me know what you think of it!

Fitness Magazine Goes Digital: About ten years ago I was lucky enough to be in charge of publicity for YM, Fitness and Child It was the best job in the world and I was so proud to work for all of those brands. Well I am sad to say that Fitness magazine has been folded and will now be digital-only. The publisher of the magazine (Meredith publishing) bought Shape magazine (!) and now they will combine their audience. What does this mean? If you have a subscription to Fitness magazine, starting this May you will be getting Shape magazine instead. If you already get both? I have no idea! Fitness will now exist in digital format only at www.fitnessmagazine.com. Very sorry to hear that Fitness is closing but most of the staff will not remain on digital and all of their great content can still be found online. (Whew)

This playlist starts off with my new favorite song and features a few of my favorite stand-by tunes that get people motivated and keep them working. A few years ago an instructor I respected told me she never mixed “genres” of music in her classes as it is “too chaotic” and “jarring” for people.

This is NOT my attitude as I think that a class where every single music selection sounds exactly like the one before is the epitome of annoying. Give me different beats and voices and I am a happy camper. What are your thoughts on this? What kinds of music motivates YOU in class? I want to hear from you!

In the meantime—please enjoy this playlist I like to call the “Rather Be” ride.

Rather Be (featuring Jess Glynne): Clean Bandit

This is sweetest, most fun pop song in the world with the only thing marring it is the TERRIBLE name of the band. Clean Bandit? WTF? Not on board with that.

Hell:Teegan & Sarah

I consider this to be THE most perfect second or second to the last song in any workout. Listen and see if you can figure out why I make that assertion.

Elevation: U2

It’s been a while since the four lads from Dublin have been featured in my class and this tune in particular is one my absolute favorites from them. (Hope you are feeling better Bono!)

Youth Without Youth:Metric

Not exactly what this song is about but it has a great, steady build to it and I like using it to my class to add more energy to their movement.

Rebellion: Arcade Fire

This is the most perfect music to do a long and steady climb with that I think Arcade Fire wrote it just for that reason.

The best part of playing this song in class is watching my students bop their heads to the bass beat—priceless!

Dark Horse (featuring Juice J.):Katy Perry

For some reason I just did not connect with Dark Horse when it first came out but I love it now.

Music: Madonna

This is a fantastic “sprinting” tune and the video (while kind of skeevy) does feature Sasha Baron Cohen as Da Ali G so there you go.

Believe in Me:Sloan

My one chance to see Sloan here in Brooklyn I was sick as a dog and it still pisses me off.

Seven Nation Army:The White Stripes

My friend Jennifer is the #1 super fan of Jack White and has flown around the world (at her husband’s expense!) to see him play live. In short, she lives the bets life in the whole world.

The Rain:Missy Elliott

One of my most favorite songs about rain ever (and there are tons of them, people!)

Habits:Tove Lo

My only quibble with this tune is that it gets so freaking LOUD at times that I have to run across the room to the stereo and take it down to an appropriate level for a cool down. (Fix that Tove Lo producers!)

That’s all I have today folks. Let me know about some of your favorite songs and radio stations. I am always looking for good tunes.

(If you are reading this on a different site or a different feed than Brooklyn Fit Chick, it has been taken without permission.)

Sometimes I look at an old playlist and it will feature a song or two that just don’t move me anymore. Know what I mean? In fact those now dreaded songs will drive me crazy enough to scrap said playlist from my iPod Classic and start over. (Why, oh why, did I not think to buy two of them last year? They go for almost $900 now!)

So today’s playlist is completely suck-free (IMHO) and it will get you good and sweaty when you hit the gym. You’re welcome!

Wake Me Up: Avicii

Normally I am not a big fan of “club” or “house” music but dammit if this Swedish dreamboat knows how to write the PERFECT warmup tunes. Try this one for yourself and tell me if it doesn’t get you into the mood to move.

Since U Been Gone:Kelly Clarkson

Admittedly I am a little late to the party here but Kelly Clarkson is a fantastic singer and whoever picks her tunes for her—bravo!

All the Small Things: blink-182

Just about everyone in the room songs along when I play this in my classes and the video is sublime.

The Pretender:Foo Fighters

If you know me then you know that I need me some Foos on a regular basis.

Sunday Morning: k-os

K-os is a Canadian musician that needs to catch on here in the States. Anyhoo—this song is fun for running out of the saddle sprints.

Get Up:James Brown

A really complicated man (to say the least!) who was also incredibly talented, James Brown is his best and funkiest here.

Dancing With Myself: Billy Idol

My inner 80s kid still loves Billy Idol. LOVE!

Uptown Funk:Mark Ronson with Bruno Mars

Is there any better new song out there right now? It can’t be possible. And if Uptown Funk doesn’t make you want to go dancing—then you have no soul.

Love Interruption: Jack White

My super weird crush on Jack White continues at a feverish pace…

Heavy Metal Drummer:Wilco

Wilco is always on my iPod and this is my favorite song by them.

Starships:Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj is a bit of an individualist and this is her anthem to those of us who like to outside the mainstream.

The Perfect Life:Moby with Wayne Coyne

This is one of those long “majestic” climb tunes that helps to end the road on a high note.

I love putting together playlists. The ability to be a coach while also indulging in my “secret DJ” side has brought me so much indescribable joy in my life that I could honestly when I hear a student say “I just love your music!” (Heart is beating faster and spirit is now soaring!)

So when I started to post them up on this here Blog I just sort of wanted to place to just PUT them. I honestly did not expect anyone to actually pay attention but have crazily formed relationships with instructors all over the world who have added some of my favorite tunes to their class playlists.

It makes this Fit Chick so happy to introduce Metric and Dear Rouge to other instructors and now I am asking YOU to send me your favorite song suggestions. Bring –em on and let us all dominate the world with one playlist at a time!

Let’s Go!

Shut Up and Drive: Rhianna

Rhianna is sort of a new obsession for me. I am just digging her style and grooving to her tunes as often as I can. This is a fun one to play at the top of the class to get their attention and get them focused on a high energy workout.

I Heard I Had:Dear Rouge

I am sort of obsessed with this duo from Vancouver who won a ton of radio competitions in the Great White North. Now I need to help them break big here in the States!

Swamp: Talking Heads

This is my opportunity to get just a wee bit self-indulgent and play one of the my favorite songs form one of my favorite concert films (Stop Making Sense) of all time.

I Will Wait:Mumford & Sons

Normally I am not a “banjo” kind of gal but this song is fun to get people moving their butts faster to keep up to the beat.

No Church in the Wild: Kanye West & Jay Z

I love, love, love this song so much and appreciate the Frank Ocean singing along with Kanye and Jay Z pretending to be bad asses.

Jingo:Santana

Okay gang—if you need a song to rev people up and push them—try this one from Santana that features a tribal drum beat that is off the hook!

Butterfly: Crazy Town

No idea what this song is even about but it is pretty damn great!

Chelsea Dagger:The Fratellis

I just got turned on t this band from Scotland and this tune makes me want to pump my fist in the air (in a good way, of course.)

Gold Guns Girls: Metric

This is another Canadian band I am determined to make more famous—one class at a time.

Poker Face:Lady Gaga

It’s been a while since I featured the shy and bashful LG in a playlist so why not today? (If you get a chance—go to You Tube and look up Christopher Walken reading the lyrics to Poker Face—it’s a gem!)

Tonight Tonight:Smashing Pumpkins

I like to use this song for a climb that finished with a big flourish—try it and see for yourself!

Heart is a Drum:Beck

A really dreamy tune and perfect for a cool down from the cooler than ever Beck.

That’s all I have today folks. Let me know about some of your favorite songs and radio stations. I am always looking for good tunes.

(If you are reading this on a different site or a different feed than Brooklyn Fit Chick, it has been taken without permission.)

Today I am featuring my new favorite playlist which features a nice mix of old favorites and maybe a few new (to you) ones as well. Hope they inspire you on your next workout!!

Best Look Lately: Dear Rouge

OMG—new favorite song in the world! Dear Rouge is a Canadian duo that won a bunch of songwriting contest in the last couple of years and I think they will soon gain popularity in the States. (And my little Blog gave them their start!)

Ch Check it Out:Beastie Boys

Representin’ Brooklyn!!!

Get the Party Started: P!nk

This was written by Linda Perry of 4 Non-Blondes—bet you didn’t know that!

You Should Be Dancing:Bee Gees

Not only is this one of my favorite songs of all time but it serves as the soundtrack for my all-time top dance sequence on film. (So much going on here…)